Doordarshan has significantly strengthened its rural footprint through a multi-pronged expansion of television, radio, and digital services. Since 2019, the public broadcaster has launched six new TV channels and upgraded 17 existing ones, according to Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan.
A key driver of this growth is DD Free Dish, Prasar Bharati’s free-to-air DTH platform. From just 104 channels in 2019, the platform now offers 510 channels, including 92 private channels, 50 Doordarshan channels, and 320 educational services. Additionally, 48 Akashvani radio services, such as FM Gold, Rainbow, and Vividh Bharati, are accessible via Free Dish, making it one of the most expansive free DTH services globally.
Parallel to this, Community Radio Stations (CRS) have gained momentum as critical information sources in rural India. Since 2019, 264 new CR stations have been launched. Of these, 26 have received direct government funding since FY 2020–21 to support continued operations. Studies show that CRS networks boost local engagement, protect cultural identity, and offer trusted, hyper-local content. A 2019 survey in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, showed 73% listener recall for Akashvani public service messages.
In response to changing content consumption habits, Prasar Bharati launched WAVES, its official OTT platform, in 2024. It integrates Doordarshan and All India Radio content into a single, digital-first experience across smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
These initiatives highlight the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public media access, ensuring relevance in both traditional and digital ecosystems- especially in rural and underserved regions.
